I can agree with the writer that often we don't attach much importance or attention to disasters that happen far away. It's easy to ignore TV reports of thousands dead in India or China while we eat supper. On that count, we are often guilty.
THAT SAID, the writer is quite obviously not in our camp as to the great wrong perpetrated on this country one year ago. Sure there has been commercial exploitation of 9/11 but that does NOT justify trivializing the attack or the loss of American lives and freedoms. And I'll wager that the families of the victims of the earthquake in India are a darn sight more concerned with their own tragedy than they are with our 9/11. So why isn't this writer also haranguing the squashed Indians with "enough already, get over it"?
How the hell is something that takes place like clockwork in India supposed to grab our attention and enmity (huh?) like September 11th. That's idiotic!
There is much to be truly offended by in this article while the wench writing it has weaved just enough earnest observation into it to make it impossible to dismiss out of hand. So much of the federal money pouring in to NYC has apparently been wasted. If they didn't purchase a wonderful, working radio system with the first monies then we could pour our natural treaury into NYC and still see them unprepared. Jail time should be served. God love those courageous men of the Fire & Police Departments but they were doing their jobs. You don't get a parade everyday for doing your job. Forget greedy families and greedy charities!
But Ms. Stewart offends, offends grievously.
Life is for the living. The things of this world are for those in it. Honor heroes in your heart where it counts the most.